WEST CHESTER, PA — An Exton ice cream shop was cited for multiple food safety violations during a Chester County Health Department inspection on June 24, including employee handwashing deficiencies, improper food storage, expired products, and sanitation issues.
Urban Scoop, located at 309 Lincoln Highway in Exton, received the most extensive list of violations among food establishments inspected that day, according to inspection reports released by the Chester County Health Department. Inspectors documented violations involving employee hygiene, food handling, equipment sanitation, chemical use, and facility maintenance.
Among the more significant findings, inspectors observed an employee putting on single-use gloves without first washing their hands and another employee reporting they had washed their hands in a restroom sink instead of the designated food preparation handwashing sink. Inspectors directed staff to retrain employees on proper handwashing procedures.
Inspectors also cited improper food storage practices, including waffle batter containing raw eggs stored above ready-to-eat food. Drink syrups that had exceeded their best-by dates were discarded during the inspection, and inspectors observed hot fudge containing a dead insect. An open metal food can stored in a toppings cooler was also discarded.
The report noted that prepackaged foods offered for sale lacked required labeling information, including product names, ingredient statements, net weight, distributor information, and nutrition facts.
Inspectors found sanitizer being used at a concentration exceeding 400 parts per million, above the level permitted for food-contact sanitizing. The solution was adjusted during the inspection, and staff were instructed to receive additional training. Chemical containers holding sanitizer and soap also lacked proper labels before being corrected during the inspection.
Additional violations included dirty food-contact surfaces, reusable towels being used to dry dishes, reuse of single-use food containers, the absence of soap at a handwashing sink, missing equipment thermometers, damaged sanitizer test strips, improper mop storage, an unapproved insect control device, and multiple cleaning and maintenance deficiencies throughout the facility.
Other Chester County establishments cited for violations on June 24 included Bucktown Grille in Pottstown and Aldo’s Restaurant & Grill in West Chester.
Bucktown Grille was cited for failing to date-mark prepared foods, improper raw meat storage, blocked access to a handwashing sink, expired sanitizer test strips, dirty food-contact surfaces, unlabeled food containers, pest entry gaps around doors and windows, and storing clean equipment directly on the floor. Inspectors also noted an employee had completed an approved food safety course but had not yet obtained Chester County certification.
Aldo’s Restaurant & Grill was cited for improper storage of in-use utensils, reuse of single-service sour cream containers for food storage, missing date labels on prepared desserts, and low soap supplies at handwashing stations.
The following facilities were inspected and found to be in compliance:
- Camp Saginaw (Food) in Oxford;
- Canteen Vending of Phoenixville at 1301 Goshen Parkway in West Chester;
- Chesterbrook Academy (Food) in Malvern;
- Glenhardie Country Club in Wayne;
- Gator Grille in Wayne;
- Hong Kong Chinese Food Take Out in Exton;
- Natal Hour LLC Commissary/Catering in West Chester;
- Red House Catering (formerly Georgine’s) in Phoenixville;
- Snack Shack at YMCA Outdoor Pool in West Chester;
- The Pastry Garage at Mama Donna’s Bakery in Parkesburg; and
- The Red Sombrero at Shops at Longwood in Kennett Square.
The Chester County Health Department notes that inspection reports represent conditions observed at the time of inspection and may not reflect an establishment’s overall long-term food safety practices.
Residents who observe unsanitary conditions at a licensed food facility may submit an Environmental Health Complaint through the Chester County Health Department at https://www.chesco.org/5843. Individuals who become ill after eating at a food establishment are advised to call the department at 610-344-6225.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.